Iowa Parks Foundation

Iowa State Parks Centennial: Celebrating a Century of the Best of Iowa

The mission of the Iowa Parks Foundation is to strengthen the connection between Iowans and their parks by creating innovative partnerships and making strategic grants that transform Iowa’s parks while improving Iowans’ health and quality of life.

Centennial Celebration

Nearly one hundred years ago a group of leading and dedicated Iowan’s began what has become one of the finest (but undernourished) State Park systems in the country – Iowa led the way for the Nation. Today’s 88 State Parks reflect that it is time to lead the way again and celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa State Parks. We are asking you to partner in the effort and find a way that you can help in the celebration.

Parks to People

Since conceiving the Parks to People Program in 2014, the Iowa Parks Foundation has played a central role in informing Iowa communities of the program, assisting regions with their plans and working with the legislature and the governor’s office to promote the importance of providing resources to connect and improve our state parks. The Iowa Parks Foundation will continue to lead the way towards creating a fully connected 21st Century parks system linking Iowa’s landscape of public and private lands, trails and waterways.